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Friday, 5 July 2013

Meet Rapio a Humanoid Robot

Rapiro is a humanoid robot that can be
programmed to do various tasks — including make you coffee.

The kit was created by a Japanese
company as a "catalyst between robotics andRaspberry Pi." The credit-card sized, Linux-based PC
known as Raspberry Pi is designed to work with the basic hardware of Rapiro,
allowing you to program it to do many things, such as manage your calendar or
tell you the weather, in addition to making the coffee.

Rapiro isn't the first of its
kind:BrickPiis a
Raspberry Pi-controlled lego robot that was funded through Kickstarter.
According to its developers, BrickPi "connects LEGO Mindstorms Sensors,
motors, and parts to turn your credit card-size computer into a robot."
Unlike Rapiro, it functions more as a toy than a personal assistant.

Raspberry Pi makes the software
easily customizable for users who are familiar with the technology. Rapiro can
also be fitted with a camera to give it the ability to gather and store visual
data. (Also a feature of Raspberry Pi.) Rapiro also has 12 "servo
motors," which help it with mobility.

If you're not Raspberry Pi-savvy
or just dabbling in robotics, that's fine too. According to the website, the
idea of the project is for a beginner to get into robotics and for an expert to
create higher utility through Raspberry Pi.

There is strong interest in this
little robot: With over 46 days left in itsKickstarter campaign, it has already crossed its funding goal.
Interested backers can get the full kit for a $350 pledge. For more, check out
the video above.